Which was the first star cutout in BRAVO?
BRAVO dedicated the first star cutout to the French actress and singer Brigitte Bardot (*1934). The eleven-part star cutout began in issue 13 from 1959 ; the last part was delivered in issue 23. BRAVO wrote at the start:
"What you see on the opposite page are Brigitte Bardot's feet. They belong to a life-size picture of BB (Brigitte Bardot). From now on, BRAVO will publish portions and small portions of Bardot in every issue. If you collect all the pieces, cut them out and stick them on, one day you will have the entire, petite figure of France's living monument at home in full size. 156cm Brigitte Bardot! So collect, cut and stick: Brigitte Bardot in life-size!"
BRAVO drew attention to the star cutout on the front page: " Brigitte Bardot - life-size to cut out " . Readers and collectors worked their way up to issue 23, from the feet upwards, until BB's head was finally delivered. At the same time, BRAVO had already started a series on the film actress in issue 8. Title: "BB - Bombshell Bardot". Subtitle: "The hottest story for the coldest season!" The story of her life lasted until issue 20 , and BRAVO summed up the last issue by writing: "That was the report on the career of Brigitte Bardot, the little Parisian girl who became a world star because she was more sparkling than French champagne."
Due to their great success, the celebrity cutouts remained one of the most important elements of reader loyalty in BRAVO . In 1959, Peter Kraus (15 parts, b/w, starting in issue 24 ), Cornelia 'Conny' Froboess (13 parts, colored, starting in issue 40 ) and Elvis Presley (23 parts, colored, starting in issue 52 ) followed.